For some time now, snow globes have been Public Enemy Number 1 at out nation's airports. As pointed out here by Seth Godin, the war on snow globes was so important to the TSA that they printed up large, stand-alone signs that were dedicated solely to the mission of issuing a Travel Advisory to each and every air traveler about snow globes. You know you are dealing with some serious contraband when it has its own sign:

Somehow in the past year or so, however, the threat posed by snow globes has apparently dropped from Code Red to something much less scary -- to the point that the TSA has actually changed its policy and given snow globes the "OK" to be checked in baggage. And just in time for the holidays!

Now don't get too fired up about this, because there are some caveats. You cannot just start flying around willy-nilly with whatever snow globe you so choose. Obviously, there are strict limits involved here. Specifically, the TSA says you can now check snow globes in your luggage that "appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces (approximately tennis ball size)." And your tennis ball-size snow globe, including the base, must be able to "fit in the same one clear, plastic, quart-sized, re-sealable bag, as the passenger’s other liquids, such as shampoo, toothpaste and cosmetics."

So happy travels, and I hope that special someone in your life enjoys their new tennis ball-size snow globe!

Comments

Snow Globe Law: TSA Lifts the Code Red on Smaller Orbs

For some time now, snow globes have been Public Enemy Number 1 at out nation's airports. As pointed out here by Seth Godin, the war on snow globes was so important to the TSA that they printed up large, stand-alone signs that were dedicated solely to the mission of issuing a Travel Advisory to each and every air traveler about snow globes. You know you are dealing with some serious contraband when it has its own sign:

Somehow in the past year or so, however, the threat posed by snow globes has apparently dropped from Code Red to something much less scary -- to the point that the TSA has actually changed its policy and given snow globes the "OK" to be checked in baggage. And just in time for the holidays!

Now don't get too fired up about this, because there are some caveats. You cannot just start flying around willy-nilly with whatever snow globe you so choose. Obviously, there are strict limits involved here. Specifically, the TSA says you can now check snow globes in your luggage that "appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces (approximately tennis ball size)." And your tennis ball-size snow globe, including the base, must be able to "fit in the same one clear, plastic, quart-sized, re-sealable bag, as the passenger’s other liquids, such as shampoo, toothpaste and cosmetics."

So happy travels, and I hope that special someone in your life enjoys their new tennis ball-size snow globe!